On Finding Your North Star
Weekend Reads 5.7.2025
Since we last spoke, I endured a monumental episode of The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week. This stemmed primarily from one set of circumstances, the details of which I won’t bore you with now. But I will share a powerful reminder that this collection of awful, no good, ridiculous, and stressful days gave me. My reminder perfectly coincides with a recent article published by Coleman Hughes.
In his piece, I Just Did Therapy in Public, Mr. Hughes relays an interview he conducted with Arthur Brooks in which the duo discussed Thomas Aquinas’ concept of the Four False Idols. In summary, Aquinas believes the human heart is wired to long for God and yet one (or more?) of four things serves to distract us from our true north. Those four things are: Money, Power, Pleasure, and Honor.
While these four things may not be inherently evil in and of themselves, they can wreak havoc when they dominate a person’s motivation. You may think these things sound like driving forces fit for world leaders and titans of industry, but the reality is you and I also struggle with at least of these desires.
During the conversation, Arthur flipped the script – as he often and so brilliantly does – to ask Coleman a set of questions intended to identify which of the four idols weighs heaviest in his life. The goal of the “game”, Arthur stated, is to be able to identify which of the worldly idols possessing divine characters beguiles you most. “If you know your idol, you will be able to recognize what will always lead you astray. So things that prospectively you’re going to be regretful of will always have to do with the fact that you were chasing that idol.” The idol, Arthur explained, will be the reason someone cuts corners, acts unethically, or even marries someone they don’t love. Knowing the idol equals power.
It’s pretty easy to look back on my no-good-and-very-bad week and see there were players driven by power and players driven by honor. Reader, the person seeking the approval of others was me. Power leaves me feeling exposed and tired. So will this newly acquired understanding set me off in a good course for the week ahead? I surely hope so.
I absolutely have broken the bag rule included in this list of 39 definitive rules of office fashion. (WaPo gift link)
I splurged and bought this beach towel from STAUD after seeing them in a Bloomingdale’s floor display, and I don’t know if I’ve ever loved a piece of fabric more. I have no clue why I was so drawn to this pattern, but gosh I love it. (Side note: if you love Birkenstocks, don’t sleep on STAUD’s collaboration with the classic German sandal maker.)
The Irish department store Kilkenny Design is having a massive sale for Americans, and there are some fantastic finds online right now.
Not sure I’m really into the idea of a cheesecake salad, but maybe one of you is? Supposedly it’s keto-friendly!
Look for the good & eight other things learned from 22 years of marriage.
If you’re in the market for any tech, whether that is a laptop, digital camera, smartwatch, or gaming console, I simply must recommend BackMarket. You can also trade in your used tech here, too. I had a really fantastic experience with them, and I hope maybe you will, too!
Speaking of great companies, this week I had one of the best customer service experiences of late, and I just wanna say – if you need to send a gift, consider flowers from UrbanStems!!
This recipe for rice + miso + one whole tomato sounds really delicious.
As I mentioned earlier, I read this book which was excellent. After a college friend messaged me to say I should also read the previous works by the author. (All on my wishlist!) I’m currently reading a novel I feel like everyone else has already read, and then I may move onto a book that has repeatedly been described as beautifully written. What’s on your reading list for this summer?
A shop for pecan lovers.
Excellent to-go cocktails.
If you’re thinking of planning a vacation in California for later this year, consider a stay in Big Sur. It’s so magical. “Our biggest deal of the year is almost here—30% off weekday stays (Sunday through Thursday) from August through November. That’s a whole season of sun-dappled trails, peaceful moments under the redwoods, and cozy nights by the fire. Booking opens July 8 and ends July 11.”
First came the 1990’s fashion, now it’s home decor. Pine furniture is making a comeback.
I’d totally forgotten about Gwen Stefani’s music video for her song “Cool” until I read this interview with the director who reflected on the shoot twenty years ago. The beauty (and fashion!!) of the video holds up.
Says the director, “Everyone loved it at the time, but it wasn’t a bigger hit. If you read the comments on YouTube now, it’s really amazing. I don’t read comments, but these are so profound. People are saying they went to Como on their honeymoon because of the video and commenting all the things it’s meant to them. I just could not believe it. I know some people love music videos, but this one touches people in a really weird place. They all cry when they watch it. I didn’t expect that.” Source
I hope your weekend is full of good things!
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